Tidying Up Asa, Inviting Hidayah

80. Relented.

🍁Male beings, not always heartless. Their feelings just need to be sharpened, to be a little sensitive.🍁

Hara's.

A sunny Sunday morning, after a night of rain. Water vapor can be seen billowing from wet roofs and laundry that has just been sun dried, due to sun exposure. Bur ung-bur ung looked carefree, moving from one branch to another.

I wipe the sweat dripping on the forehead and neck using the back of the hand. Then sit on the bench while straightening the legs. This morning I was sweating and trying to catch my breath. My whole life was the first time I felt real hard work.

“This is the last one, Hara?” tanya Mbak Nabila pointed at a sack full of cassava that I just brought from the garden.

“Still another one carried by Mas Akmal, Mbak.” I replied, after being able to catch my breath.

“Om Hara urik (cheat)! I was left.” Naufal grunted as he slammed a bag of crackles filled with bottles of drinking water.

“You're long way. Heavy tau bring cassava this much.” I replied while scrambling the hair of my beloved nephew.

“Ah, suck! Ngunu wae ora strong, bagore sing digowo Mbah Kakung even luwih gede.” I understand Naufal is grumbling, comparing the goods brought by Pak Wawan more.

“Naufal instead bring nothing, more crummy, dong?” I don't accept being underestimated by a kid who always talks a lot.

“I'm right, iseh kid, Om!” Naufal, even if he was a child, but most could have ngeles. (i am, right, still a child, Om.)

I ruffled her hair once more, anxious at the boy's behavior. The sun is getting hotter. I felt the wind blowing slowly, caressing a tired and sweaty body. I exhale, feel oxygen enter the lungs; relieve.

Mbak Nabila came, then put a pot of water, some empty glasses and a plate of sponge bread. And Merta Naufal approached, but Mbak Nabila first drove the child.

“Wash hands first before eating and drinking!” Naufal was about to protest, but stopped because Mbak Nabila continued the sentence with emphasis, “Wear soap!”

Madam Nabila is like a queen in this house. Power-holders, rule-makers and no one dares to dispute his word. Mas Akmal once said, if Mbak Nabila is upset, then one house can be affected.

“We're boys, Hara. I have to accept, if it's always the wrong place. Because women are always right. If he is wrong, then actually the mistake is in men.” said Mas Akmal at one time. Strange, rules where is it?

“Naufal also wijik wau, Buk.” said Naufal. (Naufal washed his hands earlier, ma'am)

“When, nandi? Ning kali, to? Order ago soap, to?” (When, where? The river? Not yet soapy, right?)

Before Mbak Nabila is upset and the fire of anger is splashed, I should immediately anticipate. A few months of living in this house, I already know enough, how my brother's character is.

“Naufal! We race to the bathroom.”

Naufal was initially angry. But as soon as I saw him preparing to run, he was as fast as lightning ahead. I pretended to chase after him, he chuckled because I managed to catch him. We both tried to wash our hands while playing with soap and water. It's so much fun, I never imagined I could do such a silly thing with such a super noisy little kid and so much behavior.

“Om! When to eat iwak meneh, yo?” Suddenly Naufal said, when we finished washing our hands with all the drama. Apparently he remembered the fun while playing and feeding the fish in Aneesha's house.

“Ki omahe kono arc, Om?” (Working his house there, Om?)

“Ngak. Arkaan's home is far from there.” Just once, Naufal and his son Mas Faiz were already familiar. Maybe because they're the same age, so it's easy to adjust.

Naufal and I took a seat in the back of the house. Immediately I pour water into two glasses. One I gave to Naufal, the other to myself. After that we enjoyed the pandan sponge bread made by Mbak Nabila. The standard rule made by Mbak Nabila in this house, is that there is no tea or coffee every time we come home from the fields. Only drink warm water for health, he said.

“Apparently Cousin's string is the same Nanda, yes?” Mbak Nabila came to sit with us, while carrying cassava that just finished peeled.

“You didn't tell me from yesterday, anyway, Hara?” continued.

Mas Akmal came along with Pak Wawan, he put a large sack of cassava, then sat next to me. It seems that he is interested in responding to the phrase Mbak Nabila.

“Hara doesn't know that we know Nanda and Faiz. He just found out when I took the car. At that time I saw Faiz's vespanya there.” explained Mas Akmal.

“How come I didn't share my story, have you met Mas Faiz there?” Mbak Nabila misunderstood Mas Akmal's unfinished story.

“I didn't meet Faiz, just look at the vespanya. Nor is it true that his belongs to Faizul Muhan or not.” continued Mas Akmal.

Mbak Nabila mangosteen, then he began to grate cassava. In Jakarta I am used to everything that is instant. Wake up, breakfast and a cup of coffee are available. No need to worry about the price of food and other basic needs.

Every month I only have to spend money to pay Mbok Jum and Mang Saeb, then monthly rations to buy basic necessities. I never knew if the money I gave was enough, more or less. Mbok Jum never protested. I just know, there is always food and daily needs are met.

After staying here, I often see Mbak Nabila confused every night, thinking about what will be cooked tomorrow morning. Trivial things like gas runs out while frying an omelet, or rice that fails to cook because he forgot to press the cook button on the rice cooker. Makes me realize that nothing is too easy in this world. Everyone is struggling with the test of their own life. Then, what am I fighting for?

“Aren't you afraid to live in that house alone? I thought his house was ordinary, near the neighbor. Turns right-left the rice field, roadside again. Can not imagine if there are fun nights, so.” said Mbak Nabila while grating cassava.

“There is a household assistant, the same cleaner two who keep the night, Mbak.” I said, so that Mbak Nabila does not think about anything. Since the impromptu reunion with Mas Faiz and Mbak Nanda yesterday, the topic of conversation with my brother about Jenar and Jenar again. It's kind of interesting talking about the girl.

“If mbak, nih. Don't want to live in that house alone, afraid there are ghosts.” Mbak Nabila this is all there is.

I shook my head, “Never heard of a ghost there. If uninvited guests are frequent, suddenly enter without permission.”

“Buests not invited, meaning per ampok?” Mama Nabila wants to know.

“Not, Ma'am. Who came without permission, such as snakes, ferrets, rice field rats.”

I see Mbak Nabila shudder, “Ngeri also if the guest is anti-mainstrem like that. Shadow suddenly there is a snake in the kitchen or bathroom, hii!”

“Ora dikon nginep sisan, Mal?” (Not told to stay overnight, Mal.) Pak Wawan chimed in.

Mas Akmal is getting carried away by a joking groove, “Saged niku, sir.” (It could be, sir)

Pak Wawan shook his head, while igniting a newly-finished tobacco twine. Mas Akmal laughed, Mbak Nabila showed a lazy face, I just smiled, while Naufal looked confused. We spent the morning enjoying the cool air, the scorching sunshine and the warm family atmosphere. The comfort and tranquility I never had before, I now feel. Not because life is all luxurious and fulfilled, precisely in just in the dressing of simplicity.

By noon, it's time to take advantage of the holiday to laze. However, Naufal continued to bother. There are those who are asked, if they have not been obeyed, they will talk non-stop.

“Tumbas (buy) toy yo, Om?”

“Ning field Denggung wae, Om. Toy ping telu wae, wes.” (To the field just Denggung, Om. Toys three times, already.)

If I don't answer, he'll change requests.

“Tumbas ice cream wae.” If I do, Naufal will pursue.

“When, Om? Piro clock (how many)? A bariki? (Former this)”

Naufal's rant makes my ears hot. The boy had a full-power battery, so he could talk non-stop. It doesn't matter if his mother asks him not to bother me. The only human who dared to refute Mbak Nabila in this house, only Naufal. If Mbak Nabila is most powerful like a queen, then Naufal is the prime minister who can manage his queen. The thing is, I never get angry even though the two of them seem to be manipulating my life.

I gave him a cell phone, so the boy would shut up. Usually the most surefire way to distract Naufal is to give him a spectacle on a cell phone. He will be silent when watching the puppet show. But apparently that way is not happening. Because Naufal is still asking for things.

Ears are hot enough, the head was long dizzy to hear the ravings of Naufal. If not followed until the night, the boy also felt at home whining.

“Yee! Eskrim's tomb! Po toy ning Denggung, Om?” Naufal exclaimed as I moved.

“Two can,” I replied half annoyed.

“Assyc! Dolanan ning Denggung, ice cream tumbas baline. Yo, Om?”

I'm nodding. The boy was about to exclaim happily, but Mbak Nabila rebuked, “Naufal! Choose one, if it is a toy, can not buy eskrim.”

“Yeahh, ibuk!”

Next, Mbak Nabila nagged at length. About me who always obeyed the wishes of Naufal, because the child was always whining, Mas Akmal who was silent if his son was sulking and Pak Wawan justifies the attitude of his grandson.

“The name is also a small child.” said Pak Wawan.

“If always understood, this little boy long time ago, sir. It's hard when it's big don't know the rules.” Mbak Nabila increasingly nagging.

If this is the case, the other residents of the house should be quiet. Because, answering Mbak Nabila means beating the drums of war with him. It is better to take Naufal away, than the ears get hotter. Actually all men also have feelings, although sometimes more do not care. Better to give up, than to incite more anger.

Naufal always had a lot of behavior when riding in a car, unable to sit still and calm during the trip. Just out of the alley, the boy opened the dashboard, wanting to know what was stored inside. He pulled out some stuff, made the car fall apart.

“Save again, Fal!” my orders.

With one hand, I put the stuff Naufal took out again. But a piece of paper caught the attention. I read the writing at the top, the paper at a glance.

HALIMATUSA’DIAH CLINIC

VISIT CARD

Makes me realize something. I'll grab my phone out of my pants pocket soon, check my schedule for tomorrow. Damnit damnit! I forgot tomorrow I have to take care of the name of the land letter, so that construction can be resumed soon. Tomorrow's Monday, Jenar's schedule counselling with her therapist. How could I forget?

I turned the car around, canceled taking Naufal out on the field. Because I have something to talk to Jenar about.

“Kok, puters back, Om?” Naufal realized I was changing my route.

“Om no business.” I replied briefly.

“Nandi, Om? Whoa! Ora sido toys.” (Where, Om? Whoa! Not a toy.)

“Change feed only fish, yes? Like yesterday when you left the same father mother.”

Beyond the suspicion of Naufal's excitement, the boy raised both hands up, so happy.

“Assyik eat iwak!” (you eat fish)

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Seriate....

Anybody want to say Sunday, huh? About what happened at Jenar's house, huh? That's a really noisy Naufal, anyway? So ge mas. 😂

For regional language dialog, there is already a description even though some are not translated ya😁